How to update an old cabinet?

Nowadays, in stores you can find an infinite number of all kinds of cabinets, chests of drawers, hanging shelves, shelving, multifunctional drawers for personal items and clothes. However, if you decide not to dive into a long search, but to follow your imagination, then thanks to the following tips and workshops you will learn how to update an old cabinet that has lost its appearance so that it pleases your eye for a long time.

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3 main ways to upgrade your wardrobe:

• Painting is the most win-win method.
• Wallpaper, decoupage, self-adhesive film - when choosing this method, do not forget that it is short-lived.
• Decor with nails or close-fitting fabric.

Important! The best way to upgrade any wooden cabinet or chipboard is painting. It is not as expensive as it might seem at first glance and is quite simple to implement.

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What paint to choose?

To bring such an idea to life, you need to thoroughly prepare for the process. Let's get started.

To process chipboard and wood, you can use:

• Acrylic or alkyd, regular or spray paint on wood;
• for deeper coloring - varnishes, but more often preference is given to acrylic paints.

Acrylic paints are non-toxic, dry at room temperature, which is very good when painting home furniture. In stores, these paints are presented in a wide range and can be tinted - diluted with white paint to get the desired color. In addition, there are such paints with the effect of nacre, thanks to which you can realize any fantasy.

Important! Aerosol acrylic paint will be better than ordinary, as it lays on the surface creating a beautiful, smooth, evenly stained structure. It is easy to work with her for both professionals and beginners.

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Workshop number 1. Stencil painting

What can be done from the old cabinet? Yes, anything - it all depends on your imagination. One of the great ways to transform furniture is stencil painting.

Tools and materials:

• Pre-prepared wardrobe;
• White paint;
• Solvent;
• Brushes;
• Stencil.

Walkthrough:

• First you need to remove all the accessories from the cabinet: handles, locks, etc. We are preparing the cabinet for painting.
• We spread newspapers or a large piece of polyethylene on the work surface (on the floor) so as not to spoil the other furniture in the room.
• Take white enamel and thinner. In a small plastic can, dilute the paint and solvent according to the instructions that you will find on the paint can.

Important! The paint consumption should be indicated on the bank - it is better to use the information provided and dilute the right amount immediately. If you dilute a little paint, then the next time you can get a different shade.

• Make the background of the picture - apply the first coat of paint. Leave to dry completely.
• If the color you like, then take a stencil, put it on your closet. Gently glue it on the front side, the side walls so that no bubbles form.
• Shake the spray paint properly and spray it on the stencil. One coat of paint will be enough for an even coat.
• While the paint dries, paint the hardware that was previously removed from the cabinet in gold leaf.
• After the parts have dried, screw them into place.
• Carefully remove the stencil from the cabinet - it is no longer needed.

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Master class number 2. Updating the cabinet from chipboard

If your wardrobe looks simple and cheap, as it was made from a simple chipboard, you can update it with an ornament from a children's room, and it will fit perfectly even in the modern or high-tech interior.

Materials and tools:

• Pre-prepared wardrobe;
• White paint;
• Masking tape;
• Pencil;
• Sponge brush;
• Building level;
• Knife;
• Additionally: protective paint (enamel).

Walkthrough:

• Prepare furniture by clearing surfaces from chips, roughness and cracks with a primer and putty.
• After using special products, allow the surface to dry completely.
• Take the masking tape and stick it on the front side of the chest of drawers according to your idea.
• Make combinations of triangles along the lower and upper edges, rhombuses in the middle, rectangles in the lower and upper parts. Cut the strips and make shapes out of them.
• Make a rhombus by cutting identical strips, place them perpendicular to each other.
• In order to make rectangles, stick the tape first evenly, parallel to the cut of the chest of drawers, and using a pencil and a building level, mark equal gaps. Cut through one.

Important! Watch the placement relative to the figure (locks, handles) and the slots between the drawers - it would be better if it was symmetrical than even.

• Following the instructions on the can of paint, take a sponge brush and rub the paint with a thin layer in order to create the effect of antiquity. Let the layer dry.
• After the first coat is completely dry, apply the second. Then the color will be saturated and contrast in comparison with the background.
• When the paint is completely dry and you see that you have achieved the desired color, carefully, at an angle of 45 degrees, remove the masking tape (tape).
• The final stage - apply a protective enamel. It will be able to extend the life of the cabinet from particleboard and protect it from small mechanical influences such as dust and moisture.

Thus, from an old cabinet to make a modern, beautiful and fashionable cabinet will not be difficult and will not take much time.

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Workshop No. 3. Painting a polished cabinet

Someone may not believe it, but from an old polished wardrobe you can independently make a very beautiful wardrobe in a vintage style, without losing functionality.

Materials and tools:

• Polished wardrobe;
• Acetone or White Spirit;
• Vintage paint (acrylic matte);
• Gold handles for boxes;
• Brushes;
• Sanding machine or sandpaper.

Painting process:

• Although we will create a vintage effect, a real shabby wardrobe is useless. Therefore, to begin with, carefully prepare the chest of drawers for painting. To do this, remove all old fittings and process the entire surface of the cabinet with a grinder. First, use large sandpaper, then fine-grained.
• Putty and primer are not necessary, except for strong chips on the surface.
• Degrease the surface with acetone or white spirit and allow to dry.

Important! Since the paint will be applied in several layers, it is necessary that it is well absorbed into the tree.

• Make the first coat of paint very thin.
• After drying, rub the first coat with fine-grained sandpaper. Clean the dresser from dust, but do not use wet sponges and rags - you can use a dry, lint-free cotton rag.
• Apply a second coat of paint, also rubbing it. Leave to dry and then wipe again a little.
• So repeat until the color becomes even and slightly roughened.

Important! For this method, apply a matte paint with a vintage effect. After a few days, the paint is completely absorbed and begins to turn yellow - carefully read the instructions on the package so that you do not have to repaint everything again.

If you purchased new pens, check to see if they fit the color and screw them into place.

Important! Brass carved handles with golden patterns will suit an aged chest of white.

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Wallpaper update

Updating an old cabinet with wallpaper is one of the easiest and cheapest options for restoring such furniture. For these purposes, you can use absolutely any wallpaper that you like or that will suit the design of your room.

Important! Often use non-woven or vinyl wallpaper, since it is they that have high strength.

Using this method, you can update the design of the old cabinet in whole or in separate parts. Partial wallpapering of the cabinet is an interesting creative solution that many famous designers use to create an unusual image.

You will need:

• Roller or brush for applying glue;
• Glue (preferably PVA)
• Construction knife;
• Wallpaper.

Important! If you do not know how to update your old cupboard with glue and wallpaper, then you can buy self-adhesive wallpapers, thanks to which it will be much easier for you to carry out your plan.

To transform an item you should:

• measure the length of the cabinet;
• cut off suitable strips of wallpaper;
• apply glue to the surface of the cabinet itself;
• gently apply wallpaper to the adhesive surface;
• Then smooth the wallpaper so that no bubbles form and allow them to dry well.

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Mirror Update

One of the most extravagant ways to update furniture is to use mirrors.

Important! They can not only hide all the shortcomings of the closet, but also expand the space of a small room, while making it brighter. Original look mirrors, which are applied sandblasted pattern.

You will need:

• Pre-prepared furniture;
• Mirror cloths;
• Special fasteners or “liquid nails”.

How to act:

• First you need to measure the surface of the furniture that needs updating.
• Then you should contact the workshop, which is engaged in the manufacture of mirrors - there they will make them the required size.
• Next, apply “liquid nails” to the mirrors and attach them to the cabinet surface.

Important! This method assumes that each of the mirror paintings will be mounted in a horizontal position. Therefore, you need to either turn the cabinet over or take it apart.

• You can also put temporary fasteners, which will be removed after drying “liquid nails”.

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Stock footage

This concludes our review of possible options for updating the old cabinet. We hope that the ideas you have come in handy, and you have already tried them, getting an excellent result and a lot of fun!